Telescopic support and improved means of locking the same

ABSTRACT

A telescopic support in which a pair of spring biased lock plates serve to prevent extended or retracted movement of an inner telescopic member relative to an outer telescopic member. The lock plate biasing spring is laterally spaced from the inner telescopic member and engages the lock plates to normally urge the plates into a tilted locked relationship.

TJited States atent Lnx [451 May 22,1973

TELESCOPIC SUPPORT AND IMPROVED MEANS OF LOCKING THE SAME Inventor:

Philip G. Lux, Elkhardt, 1nd. Lux Company, Inc., Elkhart, Ind.

Sept. 9, 1971 Assignee:

Filed:

Appl. No.:

U.S. Cl. 248/354, 248/151, 248/295, 248/410, 287/58 CT Int. Cl ..F16m 13/00 Field of Search ..248/l25,l56, 295, 248/296, 354 C, 410, 85, 86, 87, 88; 287/58 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,090,550 8/1937 Pilblad .248/410 326,695 9/1885 Wardwell ..287/58 CT X 2,876,974 3/1959 Liftman ..248/156 X 2,883,247 4/1959 Thompson ..248/156 1,845,143 2/1932 Friesner ..248/410 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 356,881 10/1961 France ..248/410 1,031,244 6/1958 Germany ..248/354 C Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz Att0rneyJames D. Hall [57] ABSTRACT A telescopic support in which a pair of spring biased lock plates serve to prevent extended or retracted movement of an inner telescopic member relative to an outer telescopic member. The lock plate biasing spring is laterally spaced from the inner telescopic member and engages the lock plates to normally urge the plates into a tilted locked relationship.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED P123975 3, 734,441

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. pH/L /p G. L UX ATTORNEYS PATENIH, H21221975 3,734,441

SHEET 2 BF 2 I N VEN TOR. PH/L /P G. LUX

GM W A TTORNEYS TELESCOPIC SUPPORT AND IMPROVED MEANS OF LOCKING THE SAME SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a telescopic support and has particular application to a telescopic support for awnings in which the means for locking the support against extended and retracted movement of its telescopic members is of an improved construction.

The telescopic support of this invention includes first and second telescopically fitting support members. A pair of lock plates circle the inner support member. Each lock plate includes an outwardly extending tab part which is secured to the outer support member by an arm part. A spring biasing means is carried by the arm part and is disposed between the tab parts of the lock plates to cause the lock plates to be normally carried in a tilted lock position which prevents the inner support member from being retracted or extended relative to the outer support member of the telescopic support.

When the support of this invention is utilized as an awning pole, an extension of the telescopic members, and therefore a raising of the awning, due to a wind updraft is prevented. Additionally, the awning pole can be adjusted for height by releasing a selected one of the lock plates or by simultaneously releasing both lock plates. Thus, with the weight of an awning being supported by the telescopic support, the lock plate which controls the extension of the telescopic members of the support can be released so as to permit the awning to be raised while the lock plate which controls the retraction of the telescopic members remains locked so as to avoid a sudden collapse of the support during the process of raising the awning. Additionally, it is contemplated that the lower end of the telescopic support when utilized as an awning pole can carry anchor means which permit the support to be secured to the ground, thus eliminating in some constructions of the awning the necessity for chain or rope awning tiedowns. In prior art telescopic awning supports, the lock means for the telescopic members have included thumb actuated set-screws and cam devices which lock upon a twisting of one of the tubular members.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a telescopic support device which utilizes a unique lock means for the telescopic members of the support and which permits selected extension or retraction of the telescopic members.

Another object of this invention is to provide an awning pole utilizing a pair of lock plates which permit the selected extension or retraction of the pole while simultaneously preventing movement therewith in the opposite direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an awning pole which is of economical construction and simple operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an awning pole which includes means for anchoring the pole to the ground.

Other objects of this invention will become apparen upon a reading of the inventions description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of this invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the tubular support utilized as an awning pole.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of that portion of FIG. 1 encircled by broken line 2 FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen from line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the lock means for the tubular support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of that portion of FIG. I encircled by broken line 5.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the lock means for the tubular support of FIG. 1 showing one lock plate in a release position to permit retraction of the supports telescopic members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment illustrated is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the telescopic support of this invention is shown as an awning pole 10 having an inner support member 12 fitting telescopically within outer support member 14. The upper end of pole 10 is suitably mounted to a horizontal support 16 for awning 18. The lower end of pole 10, as best seen in FIG. 5, carries a V-shaped wire 20 having three free ends thereof pivotally retained within registering apertures located generally on opposite sides of outer support member 14 at its lower end. A metal stake 22 having an upper retainer hook 24 is driven intoground 26 by a hammer or other suitable driving means with its hook 24 received over the bend 21 of wire 20. In this manner pole 10 is anchored to ground 26. If desired, a rubber or plastic footing 28 can be applied over the lower end of outer support member 14.

The lock between inner support member 12 and outer support member 14 includes a pair of lock plates 30. Each lock plate 30 includes a ring part 32 which encircles inner support member 12 adjacently above the upper end of outer support member 14 and an integral tab part 34. Each tab part 34 has an aperture 36 therein through which an end portion 38 of an arm part 40 extends. End portion 38 of arm part 40 includes spaced shoulders 42 between which tab parts 34 of lock plates 30 are positioned. Each aperture 36 in tab parts 34 is of sufficient size relative to end portion 38 of arm part 40 to permit limited pivotal movement of lock plates 30 relative to part 40. A helical spring 44 encircles end portion 38 of the arm part and is positioned with one end abutting the inner face 46 of one tab part 40 and its opposite end abutting the inner face 46 of the other tab part 40. Helical spring 44 causes tab parts 34 of the lock plates to engage spaced shoulders 42 of the arm part and to normally extend from part 40 in divergent tilted positions relative to the axis of inner support member 12. The opposite end portion 48 of arm part 40 is connected, preferably in a pivotal manner such as by rivet 47, to a collar 49 of outer support member 14. The opening 50 in ring part 32 of each lock plate 30 is sufficiently large to permit longitudinal movement of the inner support member 12 relative to the lock plate when part 32 is positioned perpendicularly relative to the axis of the inner support member as shown for one plate 30 in FIG. 6 and yet is of a dimension small enough so that when the plate is tilted, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inner support member 12 will be engaged thereby and prevented from longitudinal movement relative to outer support member 14. The manner in which lock plates 30 engage inner support member 12 to prevent the extension and retraction thereof is well known.

In the preferred embodiment, the lock plates 30 are constructed so that when in their tilted lock positions the inner faces 46 of tab parts 34 diverge outwardly relative to one another from inner support member 12. The inner coil parts 45 of helical spring 44 positioned adjacent ring parts 32 of the lock plates are compressed more fully than the outer coil parts of the spring. This increase in compression of spring coil parts 45 urges the ring parts 32 of lock plates apart and into their tilted lock positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this invention, either one of the lock plates 30 can be pivoted by use of the thumb 60 independently of the other from its tilted lock position to its release position as shown in FIG. 6 to permit the extension or retraction of inner support member 12 relative to the outer support member 14. Referring to FIG. 6, lock plate 30 controls the retraction of inner member 12 and the remaining lock plate 30 controls the extension of member 12.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details herein given but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A telescopic support comprising an inner support member fitting telescopically within a tubular outer support member, a pair of lock plates, each lock plate including a ring part encircling said inner support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock plates to said outer support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing extension of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said extension and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing retraction of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said retraction, and biasing means positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said inner support member, said biasing means contacting said lock plates at the tab parts thereof and urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions.

2. The support of claim I wherein said biasing means is positioned between the tab parts of said lock plates to normally urge said tab parts apart.

3. The support of claim 2 wherein the tab part is angularly disposed relative to the ring part of each lock plate, the tab part of one said lock plate being oppositely positioned from and extending in an angular relationship to the tab part of the other lock plate.

4. The support of claim 3 wherein said oppositely positioned tab parts have confronting inner faces, said biasing means including a helical spring having one end abutting the inner face of one tab part and its other end abutting the inner face of the other tab part.

5. The support of claim 4 wherein said confronting inner faces diverge outwardly from said inner support number.

6. The support of claim 8 wherein said spring is greater compressed by said tab parts along its side most closely adjacent said inner support number.

7. An awning pole comprising an upper support member fitting telescopically within a tubular lower support member, a pair of lock plates, each pair of lock plates including a ring part encircling said support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock parts to said lower support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing extended movement of said upper support member relative to said lower support member and a release position allowing said extended movement and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing retractive movement of said upper support member relative to said lower support member and a release position allowing said retractive movement, biasing means contacting said lock plates at the tab parts thereof and positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said upper support member normally urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions, said lower support member having a lower end located below said lock plates and adapted to contact the ground, the lower end of said lower support member carrying means for anchoring said lower end to said ground.

8. A telescopic support comprising an inner support member fitting telescopically within a tubular outer support member, a pair of lock plates, each lock plate including a ring part encircling said inner support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock plates to said outer support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means between a tilted position preventing extension of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said extension and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means between a tilted position preventing retraction of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said retraction, and biasing means positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said inner support member, said biasing means contacting said lock plates and urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions, said anchor means including an exterior arm part, one end portion of said arm part secured to said outer support means, the other end portion of said arm part extending spacedly along said inner support mem ber and having spaced confronting shoulders, the tab part of each lock plate having an aperture therein, said other end portion of the arm part extending with shiftable clearance through said aperture in each tab part, said tab parts located between said shoulders, said bias ing means including a helical spring means encircling said arm part between said shoulders, one end of said spring abutting one of said tab parts and the other end of said spring abutting the other of said tab parts whereby said tab parts engage said shoulders. 

1. A telescopic support comprising an inner support member fitting telescopically within a tubular outer support member, a pair of lock plates, each lock plate including a ring part encircling said inner support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock plates to said outer support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing extension of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said extension and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing retraction of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said retraction, and biasing means positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said inner support member, said biasing means contacting said lock plates at the tab parts thereof and urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions.
 2. The support of claim 1 wherein said biasing means is positioned between the tab parts of said lock plates to normally urge said tab parts apart.
 3. The support of claim 2 wherein the tab part is angularly disposed relative to the ring part of each lock plate, the tab part of one said lock plate being oppositely positioned from and extending in an angular relationship to the tab part of the other lock plate.
 4. The support of claim 3 wherein said oppositely positioned tab parts have confronting inner faces, said biasing means including a helical spring having one end abutting the inner face of one tab part and its other end abutting the inner face of the other tab part.
 5. The support of claim 4 wherein said confronting inner faces diverge outwardly from said inner support number.
 6. The support of claim 8 wherein said spring is greater compressed by said tab parts along its side most closely adjacent said inner support number.
 7. An awning pole comprising an upper support member fitting telescopically within a tubular lower support member, a pair of lock plates, each pair of lock plates including a ring part encircling said support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock parts to said lower support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing extended movement of said upper support member relative to said lower support member and a release position allowing said extended movement and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means at its tab part between a tilted position preventing retractive movement of said upper supporT member relative to said lower support member and a release position allowing said retractive movement, biasing means contacting said lock plates at the tab parts thereof and positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said upper support member normally urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions, said lower support member having a lower end located below said lock plates and adapted to contact the ground, the lower end of said lower support member carrying means for anchoring said lower end to said ground.
 8. A telescopic support comprising an inner support member fitting telescopically within a tubular outer support member, a pair of lock plates, each lock plate including a ring part encircling said inner support member and a tab part extending outwardly from said ring part, means anchoring said lock plates to said outer support member at said tab parts wherein one of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means between a tilted position preventing extension of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said extension and wherein the other of said lock plates is pivotal about its connection to said anchor means between a tilted position preventing retraction of said inner support member relative to said outer support member and a release position allowing said retraction, and biasing means positioned at one side of and spaced laterally outwardly from said inner support member, said biasing means contacting said lock plates and urging said lock plates into their respective tilted lock positions, said anchor means including an exterior arm part, one end portion of said arm part secured to said outer support means, the other end portion of said arm part extending spacedly along said inner support member and having spaced confronting shoulders, the tab part of each lock plate having an aperture therein, said other end portion of the arm part extending with shiftable clearance through said aperture in each tab part, said tab parts located between said shoulders, said biasing means including a helical spring means encircling said arm part between said shoulders, one end of said spring abutting one of said tab parts and the other end of said spring abutting the other of said tab parts whereby said tab parts engage said shoulders. 